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Volume 15, Issue 1 (4-2025)
cmja 2025, 15(1): 12-23 |
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Taheri N, Haghighi A H, Askari R, Shahrabadi H. The effect of eight weeks of concurrent training with omega-3 supplementation on physical fitness indicators and liver enzymes in elderly women. cmja 2025; 15 (1) :12-23
URL: http://cmja.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-1014-en.html
URL: http://cmja.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-1014-en.html
1- MSc Student of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
2- Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran ,ah.haghighi@hsu.ac.ir
3- Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
4- Ph.D in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
2- Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran ,
3- Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
4- Ph.D in Exercise Physiology, Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran
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INTRODUCTION
Aging is a complex process that leads to marked changes in all body systems and individual functions (Moradi-Kelardeh et al., 2020). Sarcopenia, which is characterized by an age-related decrease in skeletal muscle mass, strength, or physical performance, has emerged as a global social issue since it leads to frailty, restricted mobility, and increased mortality among older adults (Otsuka et al., 2022). One of the organs of the body that undergoes changes in its function and structure during this period is the liver, which is associated with a decrease in liver volume and a decrease in liver regeneration capacity. The high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the elderly, which is accompanied by an increase in liver enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), can be caused by the accumulation of fat in liver cells, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and carcinoma of liver cells (Moradi-Kelardeh et al., 2020). Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that increase the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscles (Albracht-Schulte et al., 2018). In this regard, Li et al. (2015) acknowledged that six months of dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids in individuals with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, there was a reduction in AST and ALT enzyme levels, as well as an improvement in lipid profile indicators, such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Engagement in exercise training is recommended as a safe and effective way to prevent the rapid decrease in cardio-respiratory fitness and muscle strength associated with aging and can play an important role in maintaining health and physical performance while also slowing the advancement of chronic illnesses (Khalafi et al., 2022). Although extensive studies have been conducted regarding the use of omega-3 supplementation and concurrent training on improving the health of the elderly, most studies have examined the effects of these two interventions separately. In light of the aforementioned issues, the present study aimed to assess the effect of eight weeks of concurrent training with omega-3 supplementation on physical fitness indicators and liver enzymes in elderly women.
METHODS
The present research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test, involving three experimental groups and one placebo group. A total of 48 cases were selected by purposive non-random sampling from among 90 women aged 60-75 years from a nursing home in Neyshabur, Iran. All subjects completed the written consent form after being informed about the research objectives and methods. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups of training (aerobic-resistance, n=12), supplement+training (aerobic-resistance and omega-3 supplementation, n=12), supplement (omega-3 supplementation, n=12), and placebo (dextrose, n=12) after measuring anthropometric and body composition parameters, blood sampling for biochemical analysis (AST and ALT) and physical fitness tests (maximum oxygen consumption, upper and lower body strength, right and left hand grip strength, upper body explosive power and agility/dynamic balance). After the pre-test, the participants in the training groups (training and supplement+training) underwent concurrent aerobic-resistance training for eight weeks, while the non-training groups (supplement and placebo) continued with their daily and routine activities. The supplement groups (supplement+training and supplement) received 1 g/day of omega-3 capsules for eight weeks, and the placebo groups (training and placebo) received dextrose capsules. The resistance and aerobic training programs included performing exercises with a two-kilogram medicine ball and performing rhythmic movements accompanied by music, respectively. After eight weeks of intervention, the covariance test and Welch ANOVA were used to compare the measured variables among the four study groups. Bonferroni and Dunnett's T3 post hoc tests were also used to compare the differences between pairs of groups. All statistical calculations were performed using SPSS software (version 23).
RESULTS
After eight weeks of intervention, maximum oxygen consumption, upper and lower body strength, right and left hand grip strength, upper body explosive power and agility/dynamic balance increased significantly (P<0.01) in the supplement+ training and training groups; noenethelesss, body fat percentage, AST, and ALT decreased significantly (P<0.001). Omega-3 supplementation alone was able to improve body fat percentage (P<0.001), upper (P<0.001) and lower (P<0.001) body strength, upper body explosive power (P=0.028), agility/dynamic balance (P=0.029), AST (P<0.001), and ALT (P=0.004) in the elderly. No significant difference was observed between the supplement+training and training groups except for body fat percentage (P=0.001) and upper body strength (P=0.009) so that these two indicators improved more markedly in the supplement+training group than in the training group.
CONCLUSION
As evidenced by the obtained results, coaches and health centers can use concurrent training alone or in conjunction with omega-3 supplementation to enhance the health of older adults, as both methods appear to improve physical fitness indicators and liver enzymes. Although the present study found that omega-3 supplementation, when combined with concurrent training, did not enhance most indicators compared to exercise alone, it was effective in improving body fat percentage, upper and lower body strength, upper body explosive power, agility/dynamic balance, as well as AST and ALT levels in older adults.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran (IR.HSU.REC.1398.023). The study protocol followed the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from the participants, and the confidentiality of their information was observed.
Funding
There is no funding support.
Authors Contributions
Authors contributed equally to the
conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
We appreciate all the participants who had the necessary cooperation on this study.
METHODS
The present research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test, involving three experimental groups and one placebo group. A total of 48 cases were selected by purposive non-random sampling from among 90 women aged 60-75 years from a nursing home in Neyshabur, Iran. All subjects completed the written consent form after being informed about the research objectives and methods. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups of training (aerobic-resistance, n=12), supplement+training (aerobic-resistance and omega-3 supplementation, n=12), supplement (omega-3 supplementation, n=12), and placebo (dextrose, n=12) after measuring anthropometric and body composition parameters, blood sampling for biochemical analysis (AST and ALT) and physical fitness tests (maximum oxygen consumption, upper and lower body strength, right and left hand grip strength, upper body explosive power and agility/dynamic balance). After the pre-test, the participants in the training groups (training and supplement+training) underwent concurrent aerobic-resistance training for eight weeks, while the non-training groups (supplement and placebo) continued with their daily and routine activities. The supplement groups (supplement+training and supplement) received 1 g/day of omega-3 capsules for eight weeks, and the placebo groups (training and placebo) received dextrose capsules. The resistance and aerobic training programs included performing exercises with a two-kilogram medicine ball and performing rhythmic movements accompanied by music, respectively. After eight weeks of intervention, the covariance test and Welch ANOVA were used to compare the measured variables among the four study groups. Bonferroni and Dunnett's T3 post hoc tests were also used to compare the differences between pairs of groups. All statistical calculations were performed using SPSS software (version 23).
RESULTS
After eight weeks of intervention, maximum oxygen consumption, upper and lower body strength, right and left hand grip strength, upper body explosive power and agility/dynamic balance increased significantly (P<0.01) in the supplement+ training and training groups; noenethelesss, body fat percentage, AST, and ALT decreased significantly (P<0.001). Omega-3 supplementation alone was able to improve body fat percentage (P<0.001), upper (P<0.001) and lower (P<0.001) body strength, upper body explosive power (P=0.028), agility/dynamic balance (P=0.029), AST (P<0.001), and ALT (P=0.004) in the elderly. No significant difference was observed between the supplement+training and training groups except for body fat percentage (P=0.001) and upper body strength (P=0.009) so that these two indicators improved more markedly in the supplement+training group than in the training group.
CONCLUSION
As evidenced by the obtained results, coaches and health centers can use concurrent training alone or in conjunction with omega-3 supplementation to enhance the health of older adults, as both methods appear to improve physical fitness indicators and liver enzymes. Although the present study found that omega-3 supplementation, when combined with concurrent training, did not enhance most indicators compared to exercise alone, it was effective in improving body fat percentage, upper and lower body strength, upper body explosive power, agility/dynamic balance, as well as AST and ALT levels in older adults.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran (IR.HSU.REC.1398.023). The study protocol followed the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from the participants, and the confidentiality of their information was observed.
Funding
There is no funding support.
Authors Contributions
Authors contributed equally to the
conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
We appreciate all the participants who had the necessary cooperation on this study.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Physiology
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